Fish Food and Nutrition

You can't pet them, but you'd better feed them!  You should feed your fish whatever they can fully consume in the span of 1-3 minutes, 1-2 times a day. Any more than that and they'll pig out, get fat, and possibly explode, leaving a tank full of fish guts and uneaten food to rot and endanger the other fish. You wouldn't want that.

Things to Consider

• Species: Many of the feeding needs and habits (including some below) are determined by the type of fish you have. Do some research on the particular type of fish.
• T. Rex or Apatosaurus: Is your Nemo a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore?
• Variety: Spice things up in the relationship with your fish -- frozen  and live  foods should be alternated with dry  foods so fishy doesn't get bored.
• Fish food spoils after several weeks and is useless by a month in. Purchase accordingly.
• Nutritional Content: In general, protein, minerals, and vitamins are good, everything else (fiber and fat included) should be rationed.

Types of Food

Flakes  The most common type of fish food. The container usually reveals what type of fish it feeds. Tetrafin  is one of the most popular brands. This type of food often comes as a color enhancement formula.	Pellets  Larger and heavier, which is good for bigger fish. A similar form of food comes in tablets which sink for bottom feeders, such as African cichlids and carnivorous fish. Look for the Hikari  brand.	Floating Sticks  Usually large and meant for big outdoor fish such as koi.	Live Fish Food  Great as a special treat or as a regular food for larger fish. Comes in a variety of forms, from brine shrimp to bloodworm, nematodes, and wingless fruit flies. You need to have a high gross-out threshold.	Freeze-Dried  Easy to store and use. Often consists of brine shrimp or bloodworms.

If you are away from your fish on weekends, business trips, or vacation, think about getting an inexpensive automatic fish feeder. 

External Links

• About -- A comprehensive guide to fish feeding.
• Aquariumpros -- Frequently asked aquarium questions. Many of your concerns will be covered here.